The New Stuff: Photos from around the world !

Here is an introduction to some great things people do with their dogs. Most activities welcome all dogs, whether purebred or of mixed breed heritage. Some of these activities are classed as "working dog" activities, but are also done on a recreational basis, or as a public service. Some dog activities are purely recreational in nature, while others are competitive dog sports. Many of these activities may be new to you. I have chosen my links based upon how welcoming they are to the merely curious.

When people and dogs do things together it is good news all around. Many of these activities provide the structure that helps people learn to better communicate with their dogs. The dogs have a better opportunity to learn good manners. That makes them easier to live with and less likely to be given up. The activities help people get in touch with one another to share information. That also helps people to learn about dogs, to avoid problems, and to solve them in a healthy way. The activities provide exercise in a fun way that boosts the relationship. The exercise, in turn, reduces boredom. A dog that exercises with its human is less likely to have behavior problems. A wonderful side benefit is that these activities can be a mental boost for humans and dogs alike.

Do we need lessons on having fun with our dogs?

All the evidence is, yes, we need to learn how to have fun with our dogs. Too many people just don't know how much fun their dog can be. Their relationship is one way; they haven't learned to communicate. They need help learning how to have fun with their dog. When they enjoy their dog they are motivated to work through problems, to solve them instead of giving up on the dog.

And yes, your mutt can play too.

The big surprise to me was how many activities I can do with my mixed breed dogs. And the variety of sports, games, and just plain good times was also an eye opener. Many of the activities listed here will be new to you. Some of them you may have seen on TV, but never thought of getting involved in yourself. Well plunge right in and explore. You and your dog will be glad you did.

Here is an introduction to some great things people do with their dogs. Most activities welcome all dogs, whether purebred or of mixed breed heritage. Some of these activities are classed as "working dog" activities, but are also done on a recreational basis, or as a public service. Some dog activities are purely recreational in nature, while others are competitive dog sports. Many of these activities may be new to you. I have chosen my links based upon how welcoming they are to the merely curious.

When people and dogs do things together it is good news all around. Many of these activities provide the structure that helps people learn to better communicate with their dogs. The dogs have a better opportunity to learn good manners. That makes them easier to live with and less likely to be given up. The activities help people get in touch with one another to share information. That also helps people to learn about dogs, to avoid problems, and to solve them in a healthy way. The activities provide exercise in a fun way that boosts the relationship. The exercise, in turn, reduces boredom. A dog that exercises with its human is less likely to have behavior problems. A wonderful side benefit is that these activities can be a mental boost for humans and dogs alike.

Do we need lessons on having fun with our dogs?

All the evidence is, yes, we need to learn how to have fun with our dogs. Too many people just don't know how much fun their dog can be. Their relationship is one way; they haven't learned to communicate. They need help learning how to have fun with their dog. When they enjoy their dog they are motivated to work through problems, to solve them instead of giving up on the dog.

And yes, your mutt can play too.

The big surprise to me was how many activities I can do with my mixed breed dogs. And the variety of sports, games, and just plain good times was also an eye opener. Many of the activities listed here will be new to you. Some of them you may have seen on TV, but never thought of getting involved in yourself. Well plunge right in and explore. You and your dog will be glad you did.

Dogs love to enjoy and fun...

Album photos Collection N#123Animals: dogsDid you know dogs aren’t actually color blind? How about that the Newfoundland has webbed feet to help it swim? Or, that a third of all pet owners have admitted to speaking to their dog over the answering machine when they weren’t at home? Read these and other weird facts about dogs – and some about dog owners in this list.

100 Weird Facts About Dogs:

1. It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.

2. Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas

3. A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Appalachian Trail

4. If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!

5. Dogs’ only sweat glands are between their paw pads

6. Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age

7. The breed Lundehune has 6 toes and can close its ears

8. Teddy Roosevelt’s dog, Pete, ripped a French ambassador’s pants off at the White House

9. President Lyndon Johnson had two beagles named Him and Her

10. Franklin Roosevelt spent $15,000 for a destroyer to pick up his Scottie in the Aleutian Islands

11. In Roman times, mastiffs donned light armor and were sent after mounted knights

12. The Russians trained dogs during WWII to run suicide missions with mines strapped to their backs

13. A dog’s mouth exerts 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch

14. … with some dogs exerting up to 450 pounds per square inch.

15. A one year old dog is as mature, physically, as a 15 year old human

16. The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world

17. France has the 2nd highest

18. The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog

19. 87% of dog owners say their dog curls up beside them or at their feet while they watch T.V.

20. Dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures

21. 15 people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites

22. In 2002 alone, more people in the U.S. were killed by dogs than by sharks in the past 100 years

23. Gidget is the name of the Taco Bell dog

24. Newfoundlands are great swimmers because of their webbed feet

25. Basset Hounds cannot swim

26. Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour

27. Bingo is the name of the dog on the side of the Cracker Jack box

28. The bible mentions dogs 14 times

29. Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic – a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese

30. The Labrador Retriever is the #1 favorite breed in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

31. Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs

32. An estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s will

33. An American Animal Hospital Assoc. poll found that 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone and leaving answering machine messages for them while away

34. Dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them

35. At the end of the Beatles’ song “A Day in the Life”, a high-pitched dog whistle was recorded by Paul McCartney for his sheepdog

36. 70% of people sign their pet’s name on greeting and holiday cards

37. 58% put pets in family and holiday portraits

38. There are only 350 Cisky Terriers in the world – perhaps the rarest breed

39. The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in 17th century England when it is believed that many cats and dogs drowned during heavy periods of rain.

40. Dogs have no sense of “time”

41. Humans have kept dogs as pets for over 12,000 years

42. The largest breed of dog is the Irish Wolfhound

43. The world’s smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua

44. The St. Bernard is the heaviest

45. Only dogs and humans have prostates

46. But dogs do not have an appendix

47. Every dog on earth likely descended from a species knows as the Tomarctus – a creature that roamed the earth over 15 million years ago

48. The oldest known breed is likely the Saluki – originally trained by Egyptians to help them track game.

49. In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite

Album photos Collection N#123Animals: dogsDid you know dogs aren’t actually color blind? How about that the Newfoundland has webbed feet to help it swim? Or, that a third of all pet owners have admitted to speaking to their dog over the answering machine when they weren’t at home? Read these and other weird facts about dogs – and some about dog owners in this list.

100 Weird Facts About Dogs:

1. It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.

2. Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas

3. A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Appalachian Trail

4. If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!

5. Dogs’ only sweat glands are between their paw pads

6. Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age

7. The breed Lundehune has 6 toes and can close its ears

8. Teddy Roosevelt’s dog, Pete, ripped a French ambassador’s pants off at the White House

9. President Lyndon Johnson had two beagles named Him and Her

10. Franklin Roosevelt spent $15,000 for a destroyer to pick up his Scottie in the Aleutian Islands

11. In Roman times, mastiffs donned light armor and were sent after mounted knights

12. The Russians trained dogs during WWII to run suicide missions with mines strapped to their backs

13. A dog’s mouth exerts 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch

14. … with some dogs exerting up to 450 pounds per square inch.

15. A one year old dog is as mature, physically, as a 15 year old human

16. The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world

17. France has the 2nd highest

18. The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog

19. 87% of dog owners say their dog curls up beside them or at their feet while they watch T.V.

20. Dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures

21. 15 people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites

22. In 2002 alone, more people in the U.S. were killed by dogs than by sharks in the past 100 years

23. Gidget is the name of the Taco Bell dog

24. Newfoundlands are great swimmers because of their webbed feet

25. Basset Hounds cannot swim

26. Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour

27. Bingo is the name of the dog on the side of the Cracker Jack box

28. The bible mentions dogs 14 times

29. Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic – a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese

30. The Labrador Retriever is the #1 favorite breed in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

31. Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs

32. An estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s will

33. An American Animal Hospital Assoc. poll found that 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone and leaving answering machine messages for them while away

34. Dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them

35. At the end of the Beatles’ song “A Day in the Life”, a high-pitched dog whistle was recorded by Paul McCartney for his sheepdog

36. 70% of people sign their pet’s name on greeting and holiday cards

37. 58% put pets in family and holiday portraits

38. There are only 350 Cisky Terriers in the world – perhaps the rarest breed

39. The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in 17th century England when it is believed that many cats and dogs drowned during heavy periods of rain.

40. Dogs have no sense of “time”

41. Humans have kept dogs as pets for over 12,000 years

42. The largest breed of dog is the Irish Wolfhound

43. The world’s smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua

44. The St. Bernard is the heaviest

45. Only dogs and humans have prostates

46. But dogs do not have an appendix

47. Every dog on earth likely descended from a species knows as the Tomarctus – a creature that roamed the earth over 15 million years ago

48. The oldest known breed is likely the Saluki – originally trained by Egyptians to help them track game.

49. In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite

97. They are naturally submissive to any creature with higher pack status – human or canine

98. After birth, puppies’ eyes do not fully open until they’re about 12 days old

99. Dogs with little human contact in the first three months typically don’t make good pets

100. The Chihuahua was named after the state in Mexico where they were discovered

Why some people always feel cold while others are always hot !

Most of us know that one person who always walks around without so much as a warm hat to wear even when it’s ferociously cold, as well as that other person who continuously complains about being freezing even on a scorching hot day.

We decided it was high time to figure out just what exactly is going on here.

So, what’s the reason?

Why some people always feel cold while others are always hot !

If you’ve ever felt a sudden bout of the chills or a feverish heat and yet there’s no change in the surrounding room or outside temperature, it might simply be that you’ve fallen seriously ill. If you suspect this might be the case, there’s not much you can do about it yourself — just go to a doctor straight away.

If you find that everyone at work is wrapped up in warm clothing whilst your sitting sweating in a thin blouse or shirt, then it may very well be that your higher body temperature is the result of stress caused by a tough work schedule, or family/relationship problems. The only thing you can do here is learn to deal with life better. Let go of worries and thoughts that really aren’t important, and think positively.

Even if the temperature in the room or outside is normal, many of us may feel somewhat off based on our emotional state. Reports show that when people feel isolated, alone or depressed, they are more likely to feel the shivers. The opposite is true for the times we feel connected and more social. That warm, fuzzy feeling that happens when you’re surrounded by people you love spending time with? It really is a physical feeling that makes us more receptive to heat and leaves us feeling warmer and happier than if we were surrounded by strangers.

Four methods for dealing with a higher/lower body temperature:

It might sound obvious, but wear the right clothing according to the weather. We all know how much we need to wrap up or dress down in cold and hot weather; let the view outside the window help you decide what to take out of your wardrobe for the day.

Certain foods in different climates will help our internal balance of hot and cold take place, such as eating soups and carbohydrates to stay warm during the winter months. Vegetables and greens along with lightly portioned meals should benefit you during the hotter, summer months.

Setting the thermostat between 70-75 degrees will also help you maintain the perfect temperature for the average person, and finding your sweet spot in that range is crucial to feeling comfortable.

The final trick to avoid extreme heat or cold may just be in our heads. Apparently,visualizing warmer places like tropical paradises is actually proven to release chemical endorphins that assist in maintaining body heat.

Most of us know that one person who always walks around without so much as a warm hat to wear even when it’s ferociously cold, as well as that other person who continuously complains about being freezing even on a scorching hot day.

We decided it was high time to figure out just what exactly is going on here.

So, what’s the reason?

Why some people always feel cold while others are always hot !

If you’ve ever felt a sudden bout of the chills or a feverish heat and yet there’s no change in the surrounding room or outside temperature, it might simply be that you’ve fallen seriously ill. If you suspect this might be the case, there’s not much you can do about it yourself — just go to a doctor straight away.

If you find that everyone at work is wrapped up in warm clothing whilst your sitting sweating in a thin blouse or shirt, then it may very well be that your higher body temperature is the result of stress caused by a tough work schedule, or family/relationship problems. The only thing you can do here is learn to deal with life better. Let go of worries and thoughts that really aren’t important, and think positively.

Even if the temperature in the room or outside is normal, many of us may feel somewhat off based on our emotional state. Reports show that when people feel isolated, alone or depressed, they are more likely to feel the shivers. The opposite is true for the times we feel connected and more social. That warm, fuzzy feeling that happens when you’re surrounded by people you love spending time with? It really is a physical feeling that makes us more receptive to heat and leaves us feeling warmer and happier than if we were surrounded by strangers.

Four methods for dealing with a higher/lower body temperature:

It might sound obvious, but wear the right clothing according to the weather. We all know how much we need to wrap up or dress down in cold and hot weather; let the view outside the window help you decide what to take out of your wardrobe for the day.

Certain foods in different climates will help our internal balance of hot and cold take place, such as eating soups and carbohydrates to stay warm during the winter months. Vegetables and greens along with lightly portioned meals should benefit you during the hotter, summer months.

Setting the thermostat between 70-75 degrees will also help you maintain the perfect temperature for the average person, and finding your sweet spot in that range is crucial to feeling comfortable.

The final trick to avoid extreme heat or cold may just be in our heads. Apparently,visualizing warmer places like tropical paradises is actually proven to release chemical endorphins that assist in maintaining body heat.

21 different ways to do art therapy and put your thoughts in order

Sometimes, the solution to your problem just won’t come into your head, yet your thoughts are spinning at a 100 kilometres an hour, and you feel like your brain is going to explode.

It’s times like this that you could do with trying some ’art therapy’ as promoted by Viktoria Nazarevich. At its most basic, the only preparation you need to carry out for this is to grab a pencil and a sheet of paper. Then, just start drawing. It doesn’t even matter what you draw. Within a certain amount of time, your thoughts will become more harmonious and you’ll calm down.

To help you get started, here’s what to do if you’re feeling ...

Tired: draw flowers

Angry: draw lines

In pain: build a model

Bored: colour in a sheet of paper in various colours

Sad: paint a rainbow

Scared: knit something

Worried: make a doll

Indignant: tear a piece of paper into small pieces and arrange it into a pattern

Anxious: do some origami

Tense: draw patterns

Nostalgic: draw a maze

Disappointed: copy a portrait or painting

In despair: draw your way out

Confused: draw an Indian mandala

That you need to restore your strength: make a landscape painting

That you can’t make sense of your feelings: paint a self-portrait

That you need to remember this moment: draw some coloured patterns

That you need to put your thoughts in order: draw honeycombs or squares

That you need to take the time to make the right choice: draw waves and circles

That you’re stuck in a rut: draw spirals

That you need to make sense of your most important goal: draw target symbols.

Sometimes, the solution to your problem just won’t come into your head, yet your thoughts are spinning at a 100 kilometres an hour, and you feel like your brain is going to explode.

It’s times like this that you could do with trying some ’art therapy’ as promoted by Viktoria Nazarevich. At its most basic, the only preparation you need to carry out for this is to grab a pencil and a sheet of paper. Then, just start drawing. It doesn’t even matter what you draw. Within a certain amount of time, your thoughts will become more harmonious and you’ll calm down.

To help you get started, here’s what to do if you’re feeling ...

Tired: draw flowers

Angry: draw lines

In pain: build a model

Bored: colour in a sheet of paper in various colours

Sad: paint a rainbow

Scared: knit something

Worried: make a doll

Indignant: tear a piece of paper into small pieces and arrange it into a pattern

Anxious: do some origami

Tense: draw patterns

Nostalgic: draw a maze

Disappointed: copy a portrait or painting

In despair: draw your way out

Confused: draw an Indian mandala

That you need to restore your strength: make a landscape painting

That you can’t make sense of your feelings: paint a self-portrait

That you need to remember this moment: draw some coloured patterns

That you need to put your thoughts in order: draw honeycombs or squares

That you need to take the time to make the right choice: draw waves and circles

That you’re stuck in a rut: draw spirals

That you need to make sense of your most important goal: draw target symbols.